I ❤️ Bohol

Hi friends and family!! We can’t believe today was our last full day in the Philippines. So many bittersweet feelings – we miss you all, but we’re sure we’ll miss our “second home” too. This morning we were woken up at 5:30 AM by our sweet leaders knocking on our doors so that we could be at the Montebello buffet at 6:00. The buffet was incredible as always; yummy fruits, omelets, and so much more. We enjoyed our food until 6:20, when it was time to load the buses and head to the ferry for our adventure in Bohol. The bus rides were fun as they always are, we played several games we’ve all come to love playing in the past few days. About 30 minutes later we arrived at the port for the ferry and made our way through the security which was very similar to the airports we spent hours in just ten days ago. We waited there for about 45 minutes before boarding the ferry to depart at 8:00. We spent two hours on the ferry enjoying chips ahoy, Oreos, and sprite all before 9 am (sorry mom and dad). Eventually we arrived in Bohol and our tourist activities began. We hopped on our bus and met our tour guide for the day we had planned throughout the city. Our first stop was at a 400 year old church, we admired the murals painted on the ceiling and the intricate details for 25 minutes before heading back out to our bus. Our next stop was an exotic animal sanctuary that had pythons, finger grabbing rabid monkeys, birds, and sleeping crocodiles. Some of us were brave enough to pet the snakes that were twice our size, and some of us stuck to watching from a distance. Everyone’s favorite part was holding our finger out near the monkeys’ cage and watching them jump up and try to grab our fingers. After spending time with the animals, it was time for us to head back to the bus and make our way to our lunch on a river cruise. We had a huge buffet with lots of options including everyone’s favorite: rice. At the halfway mark of the cruise, we stopped to dance to Filipino women playing ukuleles and play a game of Tan-inkling where some picked up the game faster than others. We then loaded our boat back up to head back to our bus and move on to the next adventure, Tiresia monkeys. We walked through a little trail in a forest where we had to be silent as we looked for the little animals. Some were sleeping and some stared right back at us with their huge beady eyes. We were all excited to get back on the bus yet again and see the Chocolate Hills. Unfortunately, there’s no chocolate involved but the view was beautiful. We climbed up many many stairs before reaching the top and taking pictures in front of the scenery. After 30 minutes of admiring one of God’s most beautiful, special creations we made the journey back down the stairs and onto the bus for one last stop. Our last stop was a souvenir shop where many of us bought shirts, key chains, and food – so you may be receiving some monkey key chains or chocolate hills when we get back on Thursday! We then were rushed on to the bus one last time in hopes to catch our 5:00 ferry, but even after we all ran to the port we were still a couple minutes short. So much for Filipino time. Luckily, all 41 of us could get on the 5:40 ferry, we were all relieved that we wouldn’t be waiting for the 10:30 ferry. We passed time by talking and journaling as we waited for the ferry. 5:40 finally came and we got on our 2 hour ferry ride. We spent the two hours playing our new ukuleles we bought, having one on ones, and most importantly SLEEPING (again, wake up time was 5:30 this morning).

Thanks again for tuning in, we begin our long journey tomorrow. We are thankful for your prayers!

MM!!!!
I can’t come to the airport to see you when you get home because I will be on a softball trip, but I can’t wait to see your smiling face and hear all about this trip!!
Miss you tons and safe travels❤️❤️❤️

Rabid monkeys and no chocolate. Sounds like a dream! 😁 I have loved each update and just feeling all of the excitement and emotion. Thank you to each of you who typed and shared away through your exhaustion.

Prayers for safe travels and that these sweet memories have filled each of your hearts!

Gray- we are stupid excited to see you & listening as you recount this experience through your eyes and from your heart. But peel your skin BEFORE you get to the gate. Hide the evidence that you didn’t listen to your momma! #snek 143

Hello! Most of y’all don’t know me–I was a former student/leader a few years ago. My very first year as a student (2013..) we went to Bohol for our free day!! We climbed those thousand stairs to the top of the chocolate hills, met the sweet ladies with their ukuleles, and got to see some finger monkeys (then we realized they weren’t actually finger monkeys but “tarsiers”). The nostalgia is real! I’ve never forgotten it!

I’ve been keeping up with all your posts and this trip and team has been absolutely amazing! Definitely a special group, and I hope you all have had the best time. I’m in my mid-20s now and the impact this trip had on me as a student still hits a chord. I am a better individual because of this experience.

As you head into your last day, it’s important to know that each on of you has served a purpose and made a difference in somebody’s life! Child or adult, teammate or leader, big or small, nobody else at THIS point in time could have served that purpose other than you for the last two weeks.

Prayers for safe travels and sleep on the long flight! Chloe we cannot wait to see you and hug you BIG TIME! Missed you like crazy but know that you will be changed for the better. Love you so!! Mom xoxo

I’m so glad you all got a day to spend together as a team, cementing the relationship you have formed over these last weeks. When you get home, no one will be better equipped to help your re-entry into the States than this team! I hope the other parents realize that this group is now family & the bond you all share is unlike any other. That’s what I love about this trip! I’m so thankful for the leaders and a church that enables our high schoolers to go around the world to share God’s love and experience life change of their own! Safe travels and continued health! Hug my Gurr boys!! Val

What a wonderful day, full of adventure and bonding!! Can’t believe it’s time for y’all to head back. It went by so fast!!

Thank you to all that took the time to write the updates. Your words meant everything to family and friends at home!

To the leaders- I don’t even know where to begin…..Thank you, Thank you, Thank You for everything you did, to make this trip the absolute best experience for the students. You made lifelong memories and gained several “sons and daughters”. And the peace I had as a parent knowing my daughter was in the best hands- Forever Grateful!!

Halle Girl, I know the re-entry is rough but we are looking forward to having you home. You have been missed!!

Taylor…looking forward to seeing your face on Thursday even if you are cranky from lack of sleep. So glad you have had this experience again and have grown from it. I pray that everything goes smoothly for the team as you travel home and you are safely in the ATL on Thursday by lunch (Chick Fil A sounds like a must!). Love you so much…Miller 4 – YOU

Sounds like an amazing day!! Can’t wait to see all of the gorgeous pictures!! Elise your Aunt Tonya asked if I was counting down the hours till I see you and I told her yes but that I probably need to add three days to that because I know you will come home and sleep like crazy!! Love you

You have all done such an amazing job on the blog posts. Thank you for pouring your hearts out and making us all feel like we are part of your journey. I can’t wait to hug so many of your necks and hear all the stories of how God has used you to love others. I miss you and love you Charlie Webb, Mom

Wow! Bohol sounds Amazing! So glad that you were able to experience it. A well deserved ending to such a life changing trip. You all have made so many incredible memories that you will forever treasure.
Illie…… hope you had fun in Bohol
enjoying your free time and I hope that this trip is everything that you thought it would be and more. I know your heart will be forever changed by the events of the last week and a half. We can’t wait to see you ! We miss you so very much and we love you the Mostest!
Hugs and Kisses!XO😘😘😘😘😘😘😘

hey tay!! all of de here… we aren’t sure if u will be able to read this but we all miss u so so much!! all of our sleepovers aren’t the same without u! we are so so proud of u and can’t wait to see u so soon!! -gibs,Liz,sass,ken, aves,rea, and gracie

Sounds like you finished out the trip strong! I can only imagine the amount of sweat, tears, smiles, and laughs! I can’t wait to see your faces! Karson, I have decided that leaving the nest is not for you! Your mom will miss you way too much:) Please don’t fall asleep in the airport! I’ll see your cute face in Cleveland! To the rest of the crew… Mama K will make a feast and have ya’ll over soon! Miss ya’ll!! Praying for safe travels and sleep on the plane!